In 2013, the journey of 7 Days to Die began as a thrilling zombie survival game on Steam’s Early Access platform. Fast forward three years, and it made its way onto consoles, captivating gamers with its immersive world. Now, after over a decade since its inception, 7 Days to Die is bidding farewell to Early Access with its highly-anticipated 1.0 update.
However, for console players eager to experience the game’s latest evolution, there’s a catch—you’ll need to repurchase the game to unlock its new content and updates.
Looking back to 2013, the gaming landscape was notably different. The concept of “early access” games, where ongoing updates enrich the gameplay experience, was gaining traction. This approach was notably popularized by the iconic Minecraft, which started modestly and expanded impressively over time.
To support developers in crafting similar success stories, Valve introduced the Early Access system to its digital storefront in March 2013. Later that year, in December, 7 Days to Die made its debut in Early Access, quickly emerging as one of the program’s standout achievements.
Now, as one of the pioneering titles in the early access realm, 7 Days to Die marks a significant milestone as it prepares to transition into a fully-fledged gaming experience.